Opening device.



W. B. STORY.

OPENING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1915.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

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w. 8. STORY.

OPENING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. ms.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

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OPENING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-18. I915.

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W. B. STORY.

. OPENING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV-18.1915.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

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I i B. STORY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR'TO AMERICAN ASSEMBLINGMACHINE COMPANY, A. CQRPURATION 0F DELAWE.

QFENING DEVICE.

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Speoificatiers Patent. Pmhg fmdl @mt 311 jig jifi Application filedNovember 18, 1915. Serial No. 62,098.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVARD B. STORY, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York, cityand State of New York, have invented certain new'and useful improvementsin Opening Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in opening devices for foldedpaper sections and is particularly adapted for use in connection withnewspaper stufling machines of the type shown in the patent to Claud D.Curry #1,117,000, Nov. 10, 1914.

A folded paper section might be said to comprise two plies, each ply inturn consisting of a plurality of sheets or leaves, and dificulty hasheretofore been experienced in insuring the opening of the folded papersection between the two plies, and in guarding against the opening ofthe paper section between individual sheets of one or the other ply. Anobject of this invention is to provide improved means for performing theopening function to invariably open the paper section between the twoplies.

Briefly stated one feature of the invention comprises: devices forinitially opening the plies of a folded, paper" section and forthereafter completing the opening thereof, both the devices forinitially opening the paper section and for completing the open ing ofthe section being mounted on the two members which are movable to andfrom with relation to each other and to an intermediate folded papersection. By thus mounting the opening devices a separate and spirit andscope of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of thedevice embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line22 .of Fig. 1, and looking toward the left. Fig. 3 is a view similar toFig. 2 but taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectionalview taken in different angles to the views shown in Figs. 2 and 3 andtaken along the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction ofthe arrows. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view similar toFig. l but with some of the parts shown in Fig. 1 omitted to moreclearly show the arrangement of other parts.

A feature of the mechanism for initially opening the folded papersection consists in providing members for engaging both outer sldes ofthe folded paper section in two places and in thereafter buckling oneply of the paper section. That portion of the device which is used inlnitially opening the folded paper sections preferably takes the form ofthe buckling member shown at 5 and pivotally mounted on the head 4 whichis rigidly attached to the movable member 2. Holding devices 8 and .9and a cam 11 mounted on the head 3, carried by the movable member 1,

and holding lug 10, mounted onthe same support that carries the bucklingmember, cooperate with the buckling member in the performance of itsfunction. These devices are carried to and from each other by themovement of the members 1 and 2, the members in their opened positionreceivingthe folded paper section and as they approach their closedposition, with-the paper section supported intermediate the devicescarried by the heads 3 and 4, bring about the engagement of parts whichcauses the buckling member to rock on its support and to thereby bucklethe ply of the folded paper section with which it engages. I

Motion is given to the movable members 1 and 2 through the movement ofthe arm 12 moving of separate fingers lengthwise in between the partlyseparated plies, and for moving the fingers transversely away from eachother to complete the opening of the paper section. g That portion ofthe device which constitutes the means for completing the separa tion ofthe plies of the paper section preferably consists of the fingers 37 and38 which are movably mounted on the heads 3 and 4. These fingers areconstructed to be moved lengthwise between the plies 39 and 40 of thepartially opened paper section and to then be moved transversely awayfrom each other by the movement ofthe movable members to complete theopening of the .paper section.

The fingers 37 and 38 are carried by sup porting members 41 and'42 whichare in turn carried by the guide rods 43 and .44 mounted to slide in thehollow guide members 45 and 46 mounted in the fixed brackets 47, 48, 49and 50 mounted on the heads 3 and 4. The flanged rollers 51 and 52traveling on the guideways .53 and 54, extending from the heads 3 and 4respectively, serve to hold the fingers 37 and 38 in their propercircumferentlal relation with respect to the guide rods 43 and 44. f

In order to reciprocate the fingers 37 and 38 lengthwise the slidingcarriage 55 is provided which is mounted to reciprocate along thestationary shafts 25. and 26. Through a link'56 this carriage isconnected to a lever 57 fulcrumed to the fixed part 58 and provided witha cam roll 59 which cotiperates with a cam 60. 1 This cam 60 is securedto the rotating shaft 6 and operates to rock the lever and thusreciprocate the carriage 55to give motion to the fingers 37 and 38 atthe proper point in the operation of the machine.

The sliding nected to the members on which the fingers are supported bymeans of two rooves 61 and 62arranged transversely o the path ofmovement of the sliding carriage and corresponding rollers 63 and 64mounted on the finger supports and engaging the grooves. By thisconstruction it is possible to preserve the operative connection betweenthe sliding carriage and the fingers whatever the relative lateralposition of themembers and the fingers carried thereby may be.

The specific structure of the preferred devices for initially opening afolded paper section, and. which have already been enerally discussed,will now be specifically described.

Mounted on the hollow guide member 45 which as has already been pointedout is carried by the fixed brackets 47 and 48 on the head 3,-best shownin Figs. 2 and 5, are two yielding-backing, or abutment, mem-. bers 65and 66. The member 65 extends downwardly and isprovided with theconcarriage 55 is operably con-- tact portion 9 adaptedto engage a sideof the paper section. A spring pressed plungen 68 working in a casing 69constantly presses against a shoulder ,70 on the abutment-member andtends to hold the contact portion in its outermost position. A stop 71on the opposite side of the pivot engages the adjustable screw 72 tolimit the spring impelled movement of the abutment member.

'The remaining abutment member 66 ex tends upwardly from the support 45and carries the contact member 8 pivoted to swing on an axisapproximatel at right angles to the support 45 to provi e a universalmotion therefor. The purpose of this is to enable the member 8 to adaptitself to varying surfaces to thereby provide the same pressurefurnished by the spring. A stop 76 on the under side of the pivot,(see'Fig. 2) engages the face of the head 3 to limit the spring impelledmovement of the member 66. 'Also carried by the abutment member 66 is aclamping member 77 actuated by the spring plunger 74 in the openingmovement of the members 1 and 2 to clamp the paper ply 39 against thefinger 37.

Mounted on the head 4 is the fixed holding member 10 arranged tocoiiperate with the contact portion 9 of the abutment member 65 -to.hold afolded paper section. The buckling member 5, already mentioned,is pivoted in fixed brackets 79 and 80 carried by the head 4. Thatportion of the buckling member which is arranged to directly engage thepaper has a surface adapted to offer a high degree of frictionalresistance to the sliding of paper along such surface. A

. clamping element 81 carried by the buckling member receives thepressure of the spring pressed plunger 82 and serves a purpose similartothat. of the corresponding clamping element 77 carried by the abutmentmember 66. In the outermost position of the clamping element 81 thecontact portion83 there-' of acts. to clamp the paper ply 40 against thefinger 38. To limit the outward movement of the clamping member 81 andthe upward movement of the buckling member 5 the stop 84 is providedwhich abuts against the head 4 to limit such movement.

. Carried by the buckling member 5 is the roller 85 and adjustablymounted on the head 3 is the cam-11 arranged to depress the roller 85and thereby rock the buckling member on its pivot as the members 9 and 8carried by the head 3 engage thebuckling member 5 and the fixed holdingmember 10. As has been already pointed out the abutment members carriedby the head 3 are adapted to yield and it is during this yieldlower 75is used to adjust the degree of iaoaom ing motion that begins with thefirst engagement of the opposing members that the interposed papersection is buckled by the operation of the buckling member 5.

1n order to support the folded paper section while the opening mechanismis advancing to perform its function, supporting arms 15 and 16 mountoelto rock on shafts 17 and 18 and adapted to be operated at the propertime through an arm 19 and rod 20, are provided. 'Intermeshing gearsegments 21 and 22 similar to gear segments 13 and 14 are used to conveymotion from arm 16 to arm 15 and insure the movement of the supportingarms in unison.

Another pair of arms 23 and 241 are mounted to rock on shafts 25 and 26and are adapted to be operated by an arm 27 and a rod 28. Gear segments29 and 30 are used to convey motion from arm 24: to arm 23 when the rod28 is operated in proper timed relation to the movable parts with whichit coiiperates. The arms 23 and 24: carry ejecting rolls 31 and 32. Theroll 31 is constantly rotated through gears 33 and 34 which are in turndriven from the moving part 36 through a flexible shaft 35.

In the operation of the device a folded paper section is passeddownwardly between the guide members 87 and 88 with the fold lowermost.At this point in the operation of the device, the members 1 and 2. arein their opened position, the fingers 37 and 38 are retracted and thesupporting-members 15 and 16 are in closed, or supporting position. Thefolded paper section passes down to and rests upon the supportingmembers 15 and 16.

With the folded paper section in position to be operated upon, the arm12 is raised to move the members 1 and 2, through the action of the gearsegments 13 and 14: to closed position. As the members approach eachother, thefolded'paper section is held between the fixed lug or abutmentmember 10 and the yielding abutment member 9 at one place, and betweenthe yielding abutment member 8 and the buckling member 5 at another. Thepivoted abutment members carried by the face plate 3 are adapted toyield after the first engagement ,takes place and during the yieldingmovement the cam roll 85 on the buckling member 5 is engaged by the cam11. This engagement causes the buckling member to turn on its axis andsince the friction face of the buckling member is pressed against a ply,or member of the folded paper section, movement is given to a portion ofthe paper along the surface planes thereof. Since the paper isfirmlyheld between the abutment mem bers 9 and 10, the portion of thepaper in contact with the buckling member 5 is buckled, so as toseparate the two members of the folded paper section intermediate theorder to insure the initial opening of the folded paper section and toavoid the tearing of the upper edges of the paper section the movementof the buckling member 5 is made in a direction oblique to theedges ofthe paper section. I

In order to facilitate the initial opening of the folded paper section,the abutment member 10 is arranged to project'outwardly from the head 4to a greater extent than does the buckling member 5. By thisconstruction that part of the folded paper section which is held betweenthe buckling member 5 and the holding device 8, is moved laterally outof alinement with that part of the paper section between and below themembers 9 and 10. It will be evident that this initial distortion orbending of that part of the paper section between the two engagedportions will facilitate the further distortion or buckling of theright-hand ply, since the buckling member will be relieved of the burdenof moving the ply directly in its own plane against the relatively largeresistance which would be thereby encountered. When this initialseparation or opening of the folded paper section has been eifected thecam 60 operates to give movement to the lever 57 through engagement ofthe cam roll 59 thereon with the cam 60. The movement of this leverthrough the link connection 56 reciprocates the carriage 55 along theguide shafts 25 and 26. Through the engagement of the rollers 64 and 65with the guiding grooves 61 and 62., motion is conveyed to the fingers37 and 38 which are thereby projected into the space which has beenprovided between the members of the paper section by the action of thebuckling member 5. When the fingers have been placed in this positionthe direction of movement of the arm 12 is, reversed and anopening-movement of the members 1 and 2 begun. In the initial 7 part ofthis opening movement the spring plungers 74 and 82 acton the clampingmembers 77 and 81 respectively to clamp the -members of the partiallyunfolded paper section firmly against the respective fingers 37 and 38.Accordingly in the further opening movement of the members 1 and 2 theportions of the paper section are firmly held so that their continuedopening movement is insured. During the opening movement of the members1 and 2 the fingers 37 and 38 are retained in holding position by theaction of the cam 60 which is so constructed as to prevent movement ofthe lever 57 during this portion of the operation of the device.

The fingers are caused to be carried laterally with the members -1 and 2and with relation to the carriage 55 without destroying their operativeconnection with the carriage 55 by means of the grooves 61 and 62 twoplaces at which the paper is held. In provided on said carriage.

As the members 1 and 2 move to gpened position, shown in dotted lines in1g. 5,

an insert, which may be another folded from their paper engagingposition, thus releasing the plies of the paper section. Coincident withthis releasing movement the rods 20 and 28 are operated to separate thesupporting members 15 and 16 and to move the ejecting rollers 31 and 32into engagement with the paper section whereupon the paper section isdischarged downwardly between the guide members 89 and 90 and outbetween the discharging rollers 91 and 92.

It is to be noted that in the initial opening of the paper section theaction of the buckling member in frictionally gripping and buckling aply of the paper section is such that all the leaves constituting theply are moved with relation to the leaves, making up the remaining plywhich results in a more certain separation of the plies along the properdividing line. Also the action of the devices for completing the openingof the paper section is an improvement over corresponding devices shownin the art in that the plies of the paper section are positively grippedand moved to their separated position directly by the swinging movementof the main operating members.

What is claimed, is:

1. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an'intermediatefolded paper section including devices for initially opening the foldedpaper section, said means also including other devices for completingthe opening of the partially opened paper section.

2. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: devicesfor initially separating the plies of a folded paper section and otherdevices for thereafter completing the separation of said plies, andmeans for' carrying, said first-named and said second-named devicesconsisting of two members movable to and from with relation ,to eachother and to an intermediate folded paper section.

3. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section including devices for initially opening said foldedpaper section as said members move toward each other; and means carriedby said movable means to complete the opening of the partiallyopenedpaper section.

4. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansmovable to and from with relation to each other and with relation to anintermediate f o lded paper section includingdevices for 1n1t1al 1yopening said folded paper sectlon as said members approach each other;and means carried by said movable means to complete the opening of thepartially opened paper section as the members move away from each other.

5. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded aper section; devices carried by said mem ers and actuated bysaid members as they move toward each other to initially open saidfolded paper section, and means for completing the opening of thepartially opened paper section.

6. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: mem ersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, devices carried by said members and actuated bysaid members as they move toward each other to initially open saidfolded paper section, and devices carried by said members to completethe opening of the partially opened paper section as the members moveaway from each other.

7. An opening device for a aper inserting machine comprising: mem ersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, one of said members including a device forinitially opening said folded paper section, a

device mounted on the other member for actuating said opening device asthe members approach each other; and means to complete the opening ofthe partially opened paper section.

8. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, one of said members including a device forinitially opening said folded paper section, a device mounted on theother member for actuating said opening device as the members approacheach other, and means carried by said. members to complete the openingvof said partially opened paper section as the members move away fromeach other.

9. An opening device comprising: means for initially separating theplies of a folded paper section including members for engaging bothouter sides of the folded paper section in two places and for thereafterbuckling one ply, and means for completing the separation of the plies.

10. An opening device comprising: means for initially separating theplies of a folded paper section including members for engaging bothouter sides of the folded paper section in two places, and forthereafter buckling one ply intermediate thetwo places of engagement,and means for completing the separation of the plies.

11. An opening device comprising: means for initially separating theplies of a folded paper section including two sets of members forengaging both outer sides of thefolded paper section in two places inthe plane of a line drawn from the folded edge to the freeedgesoppositethe latter, and forthereafter buckling one ply, and means for comi forinitiallv separating the plies of a folded paper section includingmembers for engaging both outer sides of the folded paper section, oneof said members being movable obliquely toward the remaining engagedportion of the paper section, and means for moving said'member to buckleone of said plies, and means for completing the separation of the plies.

.ltO

fili- 14. An opening device comprising members movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded paper sectionincluding devices for engaging both outer sides of the folded papersection in two places, one of said devices being movable and a device-tobuckle one ply of the folded paper section to initially open said papersection, and means to complete the opening of said paper section.

15. An opening device comprising: members movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded paper sectionincluding devices for engaging" both outer sides of the folded paper-sootion in two places, one of said devices being movable, and a devicemounted on'the other member for moving said movable deviceto buckle oneply of the folded papersection to initiallv open said paper section, andmeans carried by said members to complete the opening of the papersection. as the members move away from each other.

16., An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each otherand to an intermediatefolded paper section, yielding devices carried by one of said members,devices carried by the other member and constructed and arranged to"cooperate with the yielding devices on the othermember to engage'theintermediate folded paper section in two places one of the second nameddevices being movable to buckle a ply of the folded paper section toinitially separate said plies, means to actuate said buckling device,and means to complete the openingof, j i

- said paper section.

17. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, yielding devices carried by one of said members,devices carried by the other member and constructed and arranged tocooperate with the yielding devices on the other member to engage theintermediate folded paper sectlon in two places, one of the second forinitially separating the plies of a folded paper section, two sets ofcomplementary members, the members of each set constructed and arrangedto grasp a ply on opposite sides thereof, and means for moving said setsof members away from each other to completethe separation of theplies ofthe section. I

19. An opening device comprising: means movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded paper sectionincluding members for initially opening said folded paper section, andtwo sets of complementary members, the members of each set constructedand arranged to grasp a ply on opposite .sides thereof to complete theopeningiof the partially opened paper section as the means are movedaway from each other.,

20. An opening device comprising: means for initially separating theplies of a folded paper section, separating fingers movable lengthwisein between the partly separated plies, and means for moving said fingerstransversely away from each other'to complete the separation of theplies.

21. An opening device 'comprising: members movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded vpaper sectiorr,devices for initially separating the plies of a folded paper-section,and i separating fingers carried by said members .and movable lengthwisein between the members including devices for initially open ing saidpaper section, and devices carried by said members for grasping thepartially opened plies of said paper section to complete the separationthereof as the members move away from each other.

23. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to said folded papersection, said members including devices for initially opening said papersection, holding devices movably carried by said members, and devicesfor moving said holding devices to a position between the plies of saidpartially opened paper section to complete the opening thereof as themembers move away from each other.

24. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, said members including devices for initiallyopening said paper section, holding fingers movably carried by saidmembers, devices for moving said holding devices to a position betweenthe plies of said partially opened paper section, and clamping deviceson said members arranged to cooperate with said holding fingers tocomplete the opening of said paper section as the members move away fromeach other.

25. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansfor initially opening a folded paper section including devices forholding said folded paper section while said paper section is beinginitially opened, clamping devices to grasp the initially separatedplies of the paper section. said holding devices operating to hold saidclamping devices inoperative when said holding devices are in holdingposition, means for actuating said clamping devices when said holdingdevices are not in holding position, and means for moving said clampingdevices to complete the opening of the paper section.

26. An opening device for a paper inserting machine-comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, holding devices carried by one of said members,holding devices carried by the other member and arranged to cooperatewith the holding devices on'the first-named member to hold theintermediate folded paper section, one of the second-named devices beingoperable tobuckle a. ply of the folded paper section to initiallyseparate the plies, a clamping device carried by the buckling device, aclamping device carried by the corresponding device on the first-namedmember, said clamping devices operating to grasp the initially separatedplies of the paper section to complete the separation thereof as themembers move away from each other.

27. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section.

holding devices carried by one of said members, holding devices carriedby the other member and arranged to cooperate with the. holding deviceson the first-named member I to hold the intermediate folded paperjsection, one of the second-named devices being operable to buckle a plyof the folded paper section to initially separate the plies, a cl amping device carried by the buckling device, a clamping device carriedby the corresponding device on the first-named member, spring meanstending to render said clamping means operative, said clamping meansbemg held inoperative by said holding devices when said holding devicesare in holding position, said clamping devices operating to grasp theinitially separated plies of the folded paper section to complete theseparation thereof as the members move away from each other.

28. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable. to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section. said members including devices for initiallyopening said paper section, a finger reciprocably mounted on each ofsaid members, devices for reciprocating said fingers to project saidfingers between the partially separated plies of said paper section,spring pressed clamping devices carried by said members and heldinoperative by said members when said members are at a minimum distanceapart, said clamping devices being constructed to be released in theinitial parting movement of said members to clamp the plies of saidpartially opened paper section against said fingers whereby as themembers are moved apart the opening of the paper section will becompleted.

29. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section, devices for initially opening the folded papersection, fingers movable with. the members for completing the opening ofthe partially opened paper section, and means for. reciprocating thefingers at right angles to the path of movement of the movable membersirrespective of the position of the movable members.

30. An opening device comprising: jaws movable to and from with relationto an intermediate folded paper section, devices for initially openingsaid folded pape section when the jaws are in closed position,separating fingers reciprocable between said jaws, and means forreciprocating said fingers into a position between the plies of thepaper section when the jaws are closed.

31. An opening device comprising: members movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded paper section, saidmembers including devices for initially opening said folded papersection, holding fingers reciprocably mounted on said members to travelacross the path of movement of .said members, means for moving saidfingers, and means for maintaining the operative connection between saidfingers and said means in the lateral movement of said fingers withrelation to said means.

32. An opening device comprising: members movable to and from withrelation to each other and to an intermediate folded paper section,separating fingers mounted on said movable members and constructed andarranged to be reciprocated across the path of movement of said movablemembers, a reciprocating carriage with transverse grooves arranged toreciprocate said fingers, said fingers having extensions extending intosaid transverse grooves whereby the carriage is adapted to reciprocatethe fingers in any position of the movable members.

33. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansfor initially distorting the plies of a folded paper section, means forthereafter buckling one of said distorted plies to partially open thepaper section, and means for completing the opening of the partiallyopened paper section.

34. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: membersmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section including devices for initially distorting saidplies and thereafter buckling one of said distorted plies to partiallyopen said folded paper section as said members move toward each other,and means to complete the opening of the partially opened paper section.v

An opening device comprising: means for initially separating the pliesof a folded, paper section including members for engaging both outersides of the folded paper section in two places and distorting saidpaper section, means for buckling one of said distorted plies, and meansfor completing the separation of the plies.

36. An opening device for a paper inserting machine comprising: meansmovable to and from with relation to each other and to an intermediatefolded paper section including devices for distorting said papersection, devices for buckling one ply of the distorted section toinitially open the folded I paper section, and devices for completingthe opening of' the partially opened paper 0 section.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, this 17th day of November, A. D. 1915.

WARD B. STORY.

